The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 357: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

326 REYNOLDS’ WORKS I am asufferer to the extent of an additional twenty thousand pounds by this Mr. Preston — ”’ ‘‘ Preston — Preston? ’”’ said the duke, in a musing tone. ‘“ What — he who lived — ”’ “Not far from me, in the Regent’s Park.”’ ‘‘ Ah, to be sure. The Ashtons — ” ‘IT know it, my lord,” said Armytage. ‘“‘ That young lady who is staying with my daughter, and her brother, who is in your lordship’s household, suffered in some way or another by that man’s flight.” ‘“And is it possible that you are really hampered? ”’ demanded the duke, in a tone of voice which showed how little agreeable to him was Armytage’s request for a loan. ‘““T have told your Grace precisely how I am situated,”’ replied Mr. Armytage, “‘ and every moment that we expend in conversation is so much time unnecessarily thrown away.” ‘“ But fifty thousand pounds,” said the duke; “it is an enormous sum. I do not exceed my income, but I live close up to it,sand positively I cannot lay my hands at.a moment’s warning on a quarter of that amount. Indeed I question whether I have ten thousand at my banker’s at this present instant.” “The Duke of Marchmont’s name is good at his banker’s for one hundred thousand, if that were all,’’ responded Army- tage, with the tone of a man who was by no means inclined to take a refusal, nor to hear difficulties started without overruling them. ‘Yes, but one does not always like to borrow of one’s banker,”’ continued the duke. “Then I will introduce your Grace to a person in the City — ”’ ‘What! a money-lender?’’ ejaculated Marchmont, as if in deep indignation and disgust. ‘“‘T do not think,” responded Armytage, “‘ that it would be the first time your lordship had come in contact with usurers. When simply Lord Clandon — ”’ ‘‘ Enough, Travers, enough,’ exclaimed the duke, sternly and curtly. ‘“‘ Ah, my lord,” quickly interjected Armytage, ‘* you have let slip a name which I have long ceased to bear.”’ ‘‘Did I? I noticed it not,’’ said the duke. “‘ But really, CORNICLOOKS (C©)